NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF ANIMAL PRODUCTION Practical aspects of rabbit breeding and production Training materials of project IMPROFARM - Improvement of Production and Management Processes in Agriculture Through Transfer of Innovations, Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovations programme, number 2011-1-PL1-LEO05-19878 www.improfarm.pl This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 1 Content 1. Origin of domestic rabbit. .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 2. Basic rabbit anatomy............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8 2.1 Skeleton ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Digestive system .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 2.3 Respiratory system ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27 2.4 Circulatory system ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 27 2.5 Genito-urinary system .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 28 2.6 Nervous system. ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 29 3. The most important breeds of rabbits ................................................................................................................................................................................ 35 3.1 New Zealand White ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 35 3.2 Blanc de Termonde rabbit ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 36 3.3 Dutch White ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 36 3.4 Californian .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 37 3.5 New Zealand Red .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 37 3.6 Alaska ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 37 3.7 Chinchilla Giant ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 38 3.8 Checkered Giant ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 39 3.9 Belgian Giant .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 39 2 3.10 French Lop .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 39 3.11 Hybrid rabbits ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 41 3.12 Fur-bearing rabbits ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 42 4. Husbandry: the equipment and the rooms. ........................................................................................................................................................................ 43 5. Microclimate conditions of breeding rooms for rabbits. ..................................................................................................................................................... 51 5.1 Temperature. ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 51 5.2 Light ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 53 5.3 Ventilation ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 55 6. Rabbit behaviour in breeding conditions. ........................................................................................................................................................................... 56 6.1 Digestive behaviour ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 56 6.2 Elimination behaviour .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 58 6.3 Sexual behaviour .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 58 6.4 Protective behaviour .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 59 6.5 Behaviour connected with hierarchy in a group ............................................................................................................................................................ 59 6.6 Aggression.................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 59 6.7 Imitating ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 60 6.8 Self-preservation activity .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 60 6.9 Relaxation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 60 3 7. Rabbit nutrition in relation to the aim of husbandry ........................................................................................................................................................... 61 8. Basic terms, types of nutrients and plant fodders applied in rabbit nutrition. ..................................................................................................................... 63 8.1 Need for nutrients and energy in different physiological states. ................................................................................................................................... 65 8.2 Rabbit need for energy. ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 65 8.3 Rabbit need for protein. .............................................................................................................................................................................................